Long time Portland resident James "Jim" Dawson Hurst slipped quietly into the good night July 24, 2017, at the age of 90. Jim was born in London, England, Aug. 29, 1926, the only child of Frederick and Gladys Hurst. Young Jim attended Kings College in London where he proved himself on the rugby pitch to be a swift and sure winger. When Germany's air war surged through Europe bringing nighttime bombing raids to London, 14-year old "Jimmie" and the family found refuge in the bomb shelter he helped his father carve out in their backyard in the London suburb of Surrey. He joined the London Home Guard at age 17 and enlisted in the British Royal Navy two days before his 18th birthday, serving on the destroyer HMS Pelican.
Shortly after the war, Jim immigrated to Canada coming ashore March 8, 1948. Following the ocean voyage he traveled by train to Vancouver, B.C. where he took a position as a trainee marine insurance broker with Durham & Bates of Canada. His prowess in rugby earned him a coveted spot as a winger on Vancouver's venerable Meraloma Rugby Club. There Jim met Bill and Al Fitzsimmons, who subsequently introduced the handsome Brit as a prospect for their dear sister, Aileen. The two married in 1952 and transferred to Portland with Durham & Bates. There they became American citizens and raised their family. Jim was preceded in death by Aileen in 1993.
Jim specialized in marine insurance during his 45 years with Durham & Bates. He rose within the company from sales to Vice President, President, and eventually Chairman of the Board, in the course of which he built the largest independently owned marine insurance brokerage in the region. He engaged with many of the local maritime-related companies as well as with vessel operators of national and international scale. Jim returned to London annually to represent his clients in the placement of their insurance protection. During his career, Jim was involved in many professional organizations including the National Association of Insurance Brokers, Japan-America Society of Oregon, the Propeller Club of the United States, Portland Shipping Club, the Maritime Law Association of the U.S., and the Portland Regional Expansion Council. He retired in 1993 and the legacy continues today.
Jim married Linda Mook in 1994 and their love remained as his keel to his last breath. His hobbies through the years included photography, squash, downhill skiing, hiking, running, fly fishing, and travel. He was also an active member of the Mazamas—bagging summits on most of the Pacific Northwest's premier peaks. Jim and Linda enjoyed many travel adventures in their retirement years, sailing the oceans, steaming through Panama and Suez Canals, and rounding the horns of Africa and South America on more than one occasion. He especially loved to soak in the sun on the cruise ships, and from the deck of their Portland residence overlooking the Willamette River.
Jim was a man with a generous heart who loved and cared for his family deeply, as they did him. He will be forever missed. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Linda; sons, William (Pamela) and Donald (Patti); daughter, Patricia; stepdaughter, Tiffany (Michael); seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oregon Public Broadcasting or the Oregon Maritime Museum.
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